Canadian kids’ choir sings in Arabic to welcome Syrian refugees? Maybe not

Let’s compare and contrast. Thanks to the global news media, by now the world knows that Americans are xenophobes who want to ban not just Syrian immigrants but all Muslims from entering the country. Radio Hall of Famer Neal Boortz isn’t at all impressed with a small group who gathered in Stone Mountain, Ga., a day before National Refugee Sunday, to welcome Syrian immigrants with signs declaring “Welcome Y’all” and “Christ is a Refugee.”

Compare that to Canada, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau himself personally met 163 new arrivals from Beirut at the airport and helped hand out warm winter coats. Even more touching was a video made by a Canadian children’s’ choir singing in Arabic to welcome the Syrian refugees. According to Global Montreal, the video has gone viral and has the Internet in tears.

The Independent did publish a piece on the video on Friday, under the very specific headline, “Canadian children performed the same song for refugees that was sung to Mohamed when he sought refuge.” The newspaper even included the lyrics:

Oh the white moon rose over us
From the valley of Wada’
And we owe it to show gratefulness
Where the call is to Allah

Oh you, who were raised among us
Coming with a word to be obeyed
You have brought to this city nobleness,
Welcome best caller to God’s way

A commenter on the Independent’s story, however, said that her daughter was part of the choir performance on Dec. 3, “a beautiful event where kids sang in many languages including this very touching Arabic song.” However, she added, “It’s not related to refugees!”

@Independent Sang an ancient Islamic song ~ Syrian republic is secular, refugees not all Muslim ~ secular song would've been more inclusive